What agencies represent the welfare and rights of animals?

Animal Welfare and Animal Rights

Two groups who represent animal "rights" are PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and HSUS (Humane Society of the United States). A group who represents animal "welfare" is: ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). Many animal rescue organizations also represent animal welfare.

Though the terms "rights" and "welfare" are often used interchangeably, they represent two totally different philosophies. It is often difficult to distinguish what is an animal rights organization and one whose goals are animal welfare. Even while searching for groups to list here, I found animal rights groups included in a list that was supposed to be animal welfare groups.

Animal welfare seeks to have animals, whether family pets, farm animals, animals used for experimentation, or others, treated in a humane manner. Animal rights is a movement that goes far beyond animal welfare by seeking protection for animals from being considered human property and elevating animals to the same level as humans. When distinguishing between animal welfare and animal rights organizations, those are the main points I look for, though my answer is simplified greatly and the issues between animal welfare and rights is much more complex than presented here.

First answer by ID3466772519. Last edit by Deb. Contributor trust: 1061 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 43 [recommend question]